Record number of sex offenders take on new identities to keep vile crimes hidden

PAEDOPHILES and rapists are creating new identities to stop neighbours and workmates uncovering their secret past.

RECORD numbers of sex offenders are changing their names to keep their crimes hidden, the Sunday Mail can reveal.

Paedophiles and rapists are creating new identities to stop neighbours and workmates uncovering their secret past.

More than 100 registered offenders have now officially switched to an assumed moniker – with the majority of those doing it in the last three years.

In the 13 years after the Sex Offenders Register was set up in 1997, only 37 changed their name with the full knowledge of the authorities.

But between 2011 and 2013, a further 65 followed suit – including a record 23 in each of the last two years.

Experts fear that scores more are simply ignoring the rules and using false names that police know nothing about.

Serial sex offender Stuart Leggate went under his mum’s maiden name when freed from jail, allowing him to work as a van driver and fool pals and his employer for two years.

As Stuart Main, he later moved into flats in Royston, Glasgow, where he murdered eight-year-old Mark Cummings in a savage sex attack in 2004.

Last night, Mark’s mum, campaigner Margaret Ann Cummings, told of her fear that others are now hiding under fake identities to commit more crimes.

Margaret Ann Cummings, mother of murdered schoolboy Mark

She said: “Sex offenders should not be allowed to change their name under any circumstances. All it does is create a smokescreen which lets them cover their tracks and trick people.

“These are the most devious criminals in Scotland. They try to create secrecy and confusion because it helps them operate and find new victims. These figures will just be the tip of the iceberg.”

Criminals on the Sex Offenders Register have to tell police within three days if they decide to go under a new name.

But statistics released under Freedom of Information laws show that the tactic is becoming more popular as offenders try to settle in unsuspecting communities.

Police refused to give a regional breakdown of the figures in case it breached offenders’ privacy.

But, last night, politicians backed the call for a change in the law.

Labour justice spokesman Graeme Pearson said: “Before a sex offender is allowed to change their identity, it should be established there is a pressing need to do so. Every month, we hear of sex offenders back in court because they have managed to gain access to vulnerable people. They thrive on bureaucratic confusion.”

Tory counterpart Margaret Mitchell added: “If we allow these people to easily switch identities, it will make it much harder for the authorities to keep track of them and that places the public at risk.”

David Stickings, 49, was first convicted of indecent assault north of the Border, then later jailed for rape in England. But, when freed, he changed his name to Paul McStay, after the Celtic football idol, to hide his past.

Two notorious sex offenders changed their names after converting to Islam behind bars. Rapist George Clark calls himself Yusuf Muhammed Ansari and paedophile Paul Falconer is now known as Mohammed Farooq.

Glasgow child molester Frank Feeley, 52, was sent back to prison for using a false name to land a job driving a luxury limo for children’s parties.

He was jailed again in 2012 after returning to Scotland as Francis Purden, following four years living in Cyprus.

Scots law is weaker than in England and Wales, where sex offenders must give police prior notice before changing names.

The Scottish Government said: “Failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements, including a change of name, is a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.”